One Killed As Bandits Abduct Catholic Priest In Kaduna Fresh Attack

Tension has gripped Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State after bandits abducted Reverend Father Markus Samari from his residence in the Kuse-Gudu community.

One Emmanuel Yaro was reportedly shot dead during the attack.

According to Daily Trust, a resident, Salihu Mahmud, told journalists that the incident occurred on Sunday around 5:37 pm when the gunmen stormed the Reverend’s home shortly after he returned from church.

Mahmud said two armed men forced their way into the cleric’s residence before whisking him away at gunpoint.

“According to one of the Reverend’s relatives, who is my neighbour here in Kagarko town, the Reverend had just returned from church when the bandits struck and whisked him away at gunpoint,” he said.

Residents disclosed that the attackers arrived in large numbers, carrying sophisticated rifles. They reportedly targeted the cleric specifically, entering the house while other members of the gang surrounded the area.

A community leader, who asked not to be named for security reasons, also confirmed the abduction.

“On Sunday night around 7 pm, I received a call from one of the victim’s family members that bandits had invaded the Reverend Father’s house and whisked him away,” he told journalists.

He added that he immediately alerted troops stationed at the entrance of Kagarko town.

Naija News learnt that the abduction came barely 24 hours after gunmen invaded a Fulani settlement in Sabon-Kurutu village, where they rustled several cows.

The attackers were said to have arrived on motorcycles, shooting sporadically and forcing herders to flee for safety.

A police source in Kagarko confirmed both incidents but directed journalists to the Kaduna State Police Command headquarters for official comments.

However, the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Hassan Mansur, had yet to confirm the incident as of the time of filing this report.